89 Elite (SE50): fuel not getting to my engine now?

[Tricky]

Hey guys,

So i just got my alternator fixed, i now have spark again

Now it seems theres an issue with petrol getting to the engine.

heres the story:

I put my 89 Elite back together (mostly) and attempted to fire it up. nope not starting. i noticed there was alotta air getting sucked in through the air filter. so i covered it with my hand and my elite started!
i turned it off, and tried to start again without my hand over the air intake and it started again!
i tried one more time, and then it didnt start.
there is an odd popping sound coming from somewhere (i couldnt tell you where)

its like there is no fuel getting to the engine and all the suction for the fuel is being used for air.
fuel gets to the carb easily.

could it be the carb/ried valves under it?

Nearly 6 weeks now of public transport has now driven me to insanity.

I really am a when it comes to mechanics, this is me learning.

help would be greatly appreciated

[Bear45-70]

First off the way a carburetor works is that it sucks air thru the carb which in turn sucks the fuel from the float bowl into the venturi of the carb, hence into the engine. So sucking air is a good thing. What you did when you put your had over the air intake was effectively choked he engine making it suck more fuel into the engine. It is not reed valve or the engine would not have started when you choked it.

Check your bystarter (Honda's name for the electric enrichment system AKA a choke).

Also, what kind of filter are you running, stock or an after market?

[Tricky]

its a stock filter.

but the odd thing is if there was fuel getting in there wouldnt piston be wet from it exspecially if the engine doesnt fire? i took the head off, and it was dry as a bone.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Quoth Tricky:

there is an odd popping sound coming from somewhere (i couldnt tell you where)

This is just a hunch, but I suggest you verify your crank seals at both ends. The "popping" sound might be the pressure blowing uselessly in and out o'the crankcase via the crank ends. In this Theory, blocking the air intake might have put enough vacuum back in the intake tract to suck up some fuel, but there's too much loss at the seals for the carb to act as a mixer without your hand over the intake.

If the seals are OK - there should be NO seepage or evidence of liquid of any kind - then the old Mantra: Clean the Carb! And do check the bystarter for normal function. There's a bystarter "mini-bowl" whose tiny brass orifice is subject to clogging just like the tinier Pilot circuit.

[Tricky]

the seals LOOK fine, but i'll double check it. * i'll just replace them to rule em out.

i'll learn how to clean the carb & bystarter tonight when i get home from work.

i'll give you guys an update tomorrow. im so waiting for the moment i hear the elite roar again

[Bear45-70]

...........................................but the odd thing is if there was fuel getting in there wouldnt piston be wet from it exspecially if the engine doesnt fire? i took the head off, and it was dry as a bone.

If the mixture in the cylinder fires then the chamber will be dry. The engine can not fire unless there is fuel in the cylinder. Besides that if the engine sits any length of time, anything in the chamber evaporates.

[Tricky]

Hrmmn silly question, how do i know if the bi starter is functioning?

i have 2 bi starters (1 on the elite, 1 spare)

THe carb will get cleaned at after work today (its 7:30AM here)

[Tricky]

ITS ALIVE!

The timing was out, so the spark was going when the piston was down the bottom.

now all i need is a clutch and she will be sweet.